So, this past weekend was the Lone Star Roundup and while going home I noticed that my trans (3 on the tree) was not shifting well. First it had issues going into revers, then issues going into 2nd gear. As I was driving home I was shoving the stick into second and after a while it would not go into second at all. I had to drive the car home using only first and third gear. Is it normal for a trans to go out that fast? Is there something I should look for before I pull the thing out? I did notice that if I take off while engine is cool the trans will shift good, but when it start to warm up that's when the issues start. I figure it's a standard and does not use oil. The 239 engine is a great runner and works great with the small 2 barrel carb and would like to keep it. If I need to replace the trans, what can take it's place that will fit without much modification? I searched the wide web and found adapter plates to mount other transmissions, but **** they are almost a grand for the kit. I would really hate to pull the motor out just because the trans went out. Rebuilding the trans will run me almost a grand. ****... I hate just thinking about it.. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Is it making noise? Is there oil in it? Most of the time, it's linkage. Both of the gears are the ones you push "up" to get to, and both are on a different plane of the shifter, so it might be linkage. Transmissions don't use oil, but they can leak it. If the trans needs to come out, you don't need to pull the engine. The trans will come out underneath in a couple house of laying on your back with the car on stands. On a lift, you can have it out in 15 minutes.
Sounds like the transmission syncro's are shot.The rear end and transmission both used 90wt gear oil, 1952-54 3 speed transmissions will interchange from 6 cyl and V8 cars.You should contact this member by pm: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=70276 He has a great price on the Ford Parts Manual and Repair Manual on CD-ROM that will pay for itself over and over.
A grand to repair a three speed??? You need to find another quote or do it yourself. They are easy transmissions to learn on. No special tools needed, just a clean chunk of cardboard if you don't have a good bench.
I was down there this last weekend at the round up too. Man what a beating sitting in all that traffic to and from the show, and up and down Congress while keeping that heavy *** clutch pedal pushed in. I swear my left leg muscles are twice the size of my right leg now! Anyways, I was having some grinding and difficulty getting into 2nd gear as well. First thing I would recommend you try doing is seeing how the clutch adjustment is. If when you push the clutch in and it's not completely disengaging from the flywheel it's going to keep the trans spinning and make the gears hard to shift. I'd check the linkage too while you're down there. I'd exhaust those two options before deciding to yank the motor and trans out
Check the linkage bushings at both ends. They wear out after a while and make shifting hard. Also check linkage adjustment; procedure's in the shop manual.
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